Richard Moore Outdoor Report: Leaping Lagartos

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Like a marauding pack of aquatic wolves, this secluded waterway in deep South Texas harbors a sinister array of alligators.

Searching with an unblinking reptilian eye, an imposing gator slowly cruises seeking unsuspecting prey.

With a methodical swish of its powerful tail, the massive alligator glides menacingly through the watery realm where it reigns supreme.

When not cruising in quest of a victim, the pack does what alligators do best, lurking patiently disguised as logs, vigilant in toothsome ambush.

Basking on the nearby bank, this huge reptile displays a mouthful of sharp teeth capable of shredding any potential meal.

The reason for this congregation of gators is abundant prey, particularly gar. As the waters receded along this remote waterway, fish became trapped and more easily captured.

The sheer number of gar is astonishing, and alligators have responded in a predatory assemblage.

Sequestered in shallows with fish swirling, this gator suddenly leaps violently, crashing through the water. However, no meal appears to have been secured. 

Returning to its ambush site in reeds, the lagarto lurks and then leaps again, but once more, no catch of the day.  

The fishy presence has also attracted great egrets that have more success snatching sustenance, but here the predator can quickly become prey. 

Best to tread cautiously amongst gators, and this egret opts to fortuitously fly just in time before another gator splashes down.

The egrets seem to know just how close they can get to their reptilian neighbors without becoming dinner. 

Meanwhile, Catan swims perilously near the floating logs, but they, too, seem to possess a piscine sense of just how far to stay away from toothy threat. 

Using its strong tail to anchor in the shallows, this gator continues to catapult itself amongst fish, but to no avail. 

Perhaps a new angling strategy may need to be employed, or just maybe one of those egrets will venture close enough for dinner.